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Starmer vows action on addictive social media as Lords press for under-16s ban

Labour leader Keir Starmer pledged tougher action on addictive social media features after the House of Lords twice pushed for an Australian-style ban for under-16s, while the government prepares bills ahead of the Easter recess.

Mar 26th 2026 · United Kingdom

Insights

  • The House of Lords voted for a second time to insert a clause requiring an Australian-style social media ban for under-16s into the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill.
  • The government has launched a consultation on a ban and included powers in the bill to enable rapid implementation if chosen.
  • Labour leader Keir Starmer, speaking in Helsinki at a Joint Expeditionary Force meeting, said he will announce further measures tomorrow to tackle addictive social media features.
  • Starmer said he is not ready to commit to a full under-16s ban because other interventions might be more effective.
  • He said the government will study a recent Los Angeles court ruling that found Meta and YouTube liable for designing addictive products.

Sources